Martinez Murder Trial: Jurors shown surveillance footage of deadly attack
The trial is underway in New Mexico’s Third Judicial Court for the man accused of stabbing and killing another man in July 2016.
Rodolfo Martinez, 37, stands trial for the murder of Christopher Wray, 46.
Tuesday, prosecutors argued Martinez stabbed Wray nearly two dozen times in the chest, neck and back. Prosecutors also said surveillance footage showed Martinez kicking Wray in the head and spitting at him. According to the state, a 9-1-1 caller said he saw Martinez stab Wray dozens of times for nearly two minutes.
Surveillance images show both men fighting outside of their hotel room. Once on the ground Wray, wearing a dark gray shirt, appears to subdue Martinez, wearing a red shirt. Martinez then frees himself and is allegedly seen in the video stabbing Wray with a knife-like object multiple times. A witness testified he thought Martinez delivered 50 to 60 strikes before leaving the scene.
“He (Martinez) was stabbing the victim and he had stepped back from the victim and then went back and started stabbing the victim more,” Joshua Jackson testified in court.
“How would you describe the manner in which the defendant was stabbing the victim,” a prosecutor asked. “It was methodical,” Jackson said.
Jurors Tuesday also listened to a recording of Jackson’s 911 call. “The guy’s not moving. The guy got stabbed probably 50 to 60 times,” Jackson is heard saying, “This man is dead. I swear to God. That man stabbed him for like two minutes.”
On July 1st, 2016, police found the victim injured with multiple stab wounds near west Picacho Avenue and 17th Street on July 1st, 2016. That man was later identified as Wray, according to court documents. He ultimately died of his injuries.
Martinez was found a short distance away by an animal control officer. He was allegedly covered in blood. DNA tests revealed the blood was that of the victim, prosecutors said.
The suspect’s defense counsel argued Wray struck Martinez and tried to choke him. The defense attorney also told the jury Martinez grabbed a piece of metal to try and defend himself against the deadly force.
Martinez faces a second degree murder charge. He is expected to testify in the two-day trial.
